Christopher Nolan Prefers Blu-ray over Netflix, Not Fan of 'Direct to Streaming'

Christopher Nolan doesn't like the way Netflix distributes their original movies, vows to never work with them

Image/Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan has criticized Netflix's distribution model, and at the same time, waded into the disc vs streaming debate on the side of physical media.

Nolan, the director of the critically acclaimed 'Dunkirk' and a vocal proponent of the "big" movie experience (many of Nolan's films are shot in 70mm for IMAX presentation), was speaking at a promotional event for the movie and made it very clear that he is not a fan of Netflix's "straight to streaming" model.

Netflix's ever growing list of "original movies" has caused concern for theater chains as well as those in traditional Hollywood circles. Netflix original movies, such as 'Okja', are simultaneously released in theaters and on Netflix for all subscribers. This, according to Nolan, is "pointless".

"Netflix has a bizarre aversion to supporting theatrical films," Nolan told IndieWire. "They have this mindless policy of everything having to be simultaneously streamed and released, which is obviously an untenable model for theatrical presentation. So they're not even getting in the game, and I think they're missing a huge opportunity."

Not missing any opportunities, Nolan says, is Amazon, who also produces their own movies including award favourite 'Manchester by the Sea'. But instead of making them available on their own streaming platform, Amazon gives their movies a 90 day theatrical window, a move that earned Amazon praise from Nolan.

But given the choice of any streaming platform and good old discs, in particularly Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Nolan says it's an easy choice. The director says he "rarely" uses streaming, and instead, goes to discs whenever he can.